Brittany Pozzi and Lindsay Sears were just two-thirds of an incredible race for the 2011 barrel racing world championship.

If RodeoHouston is any indication, 2012 could be just as exciting.

Through the first of two semifinals on Wednesday night, Sears won the round with a 13.93-second run, followed by Pozzi’s 14.14. Through four go-rounds inside Reliant Stadium, both the two-time world champions have the same earnings, $9,900. They’ve also secured their spot in the finals.

The other third of the 2011 equation was three-time titlist Sherry Cervi, who competes in Thursday’s second semifinal round. Cervi has earned $6,600 in Houston so far.

The winners of the Super Shootout in each event will earn $50,000. For the barrel racers, that money counts toward the world standings. Last year, Jody Sheffield ran her Houston earnings all the way to her first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Of course, $9,900 is nothing to sneeze at.